Psychosocial Stress and Overweight and Obesity: Findings From the Chicago Community Adult Health Study

Abstract

Background Psychosocial stress has been implicated as a risk factor for overweight and obesity. However, research on psychosocial stressors and overweight and obesity has typically focused on single stressors in isolation, which may overestimate the impact of a specific stressor and fail to describe the role of cumulative stress on overweight and obesity risk. Purpose This study explores the association between overweight/obesity and cumulative exposure to a wide range of psychosocial stressors, among a multiracial/ethnic sample of adults. Methods Using secondary data from the Chicago Community Adult Health Study (n = 2,983), we conducted multinomial logistic regression analyses to quantify associations between eight psychosocial stressors, individually and in combination, and measured overweight and obesity, adjusted for sociodemographic factors, alcohol use and smoking. Results In separated covariate-adjusted models, childhood adversities (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16; confidence interval [CI] = [1.03, 1.30]), acute life events (OR = 1.18; CI = [1.04, 1.34]), financial strain (OR = 1.30; CI = [1.15, 1.47]), and relationship stressors (OR = 1.18; CI = [1.04, 1.35]) were associated with increased odds of obesity. In a model adjusted for all stressors simultaneously, financial strain was the only stressor independently associated with overweight (OR = 1.17; CI = [1.00, 1.36]) and obesity (OR = 1.21; CI = [1.05, 1.39]). Participants with stress exposure in the highest quintile across 2, 3, or ≥4 (compared to no) types of stressors had significantly higher odds of obesity. Conclusions Multiple types of stressors may be risk factors for obesity, and cumulative exposure to these stressors may increase the odds of obesity. Reducing exposure to stressors at the population level may have the potential to contribute to reducing the burden of obesity.

Trajectories of Waist-to-Hip Ratio and Adverse Outcomes in Heart Failure with Mid-Range Ejection Fraction

“…These conflicting results may be due to the fact that the WHR is a better abdominal obesity measure than the BMI, possibly being able to evaluate abdominal fat more accurately. Third, obesity is often accompanied by psychosocial disorders, such as depression or anxiety, resulting in poor outcomes, especially in patients with HFmrEF [41,42]. Previous studies have evaluated the association of weight loss with well-being outcomes in adults with HF [41,42].…”

“…Third, obesity is often accompanied by psychosocial disorders, such as depression or anxiety, resulting in poor outcomes, especially in patients with HFmrEF [41,42]. Previous studies have evaluated the association of weight loss with well-being outcomes in adults with HF [41,42]. Findings from epidemiologic studies indicate that abdominal obesity shares complex biologic, etiologic, and genetic substrates with psychosocial states of stress [42,43].…”

“…Previous studies have evaluated the association of weight loss with well-being outcomes in adults with HF [41,42]. Findings from epidemiologic studies indicate that abdominal obesity shares complex biologic, etiologic, and genetic substrates with psychosocial states of stress [42,43]. The psychosocial state characterized by chronic hypercortisolism induces abdominal fat accumulation, depressive symptoms, and severely reduced quality of life [43].…”

The moderating role of race/ethnicity and nativity in the relationship between perceived discrimination and overweight and obesity: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions

“…US-born non-Hispanic Blacks report experiencing greater exposure to common stressors (e.g., financial strain, relationship problems) concurrent with greater exposure to race-related stressors (e.g., racial discrimination) than their White counterparts [60, 61]. A recent study shows that greater cumulative exposure to a wide range of stressors is associated with greater odds of obesity [35]. Future research needs to consider wider range of psychosocial stressors that may concurrently increase the risk of overweight/obesity for US-born racial/ethnic minority groups.…”

“…Perceived discrimination operate like other stressors, in that they are life-long and cumulative and can lead to illness and disease [32–34]. Growing attention has been given to the ways in which race/ethnicity-related aspects of social experiences, particularly perceived discrimination, may increase the risk of obesity [35–37]. Findings pertaining to the relationship between discrimination and obesity, however, have been mixed.…”